Game Bird Program
Carolina Regional Quail Program
Dating back to visits by Herbert Stoddard, Tall Timbers has been involved, to varying degrees, in the restoration and management of bobwhites and fire-dependent systems in the Carolinas since the 1930s. In support of Tall Timbers’ 10-year strategic plan, the Carolina Regional Quail Program (CRQP) was launched in 2018 with the hiring of full-time biologist Paul Grimes to expand Tall Timbers’ scope, impact, and on-the-ground presence across the Carolinas and eastern Georgia.
Today, the goal of the CRQP is to work with landowners and conservation partners to establish new acres of wild quail lands with special emphasis on connectivity across landscapes. Our work focuses on providing technical guidance and long-term management support for both the renovation of existing quail properties and the development of new, intensively managed quail landscapes.
These efforts span a wide range of ecological conditions—from heavy grass competition in the South Carolina Lowcountry to increasing urban pressure and fragmented habitats in the Upstate. Despite these challenges, interest in restoring wild bobwhite populations continues to grow. In the Carolinas, success is increasingly measured not by the number of quail harvested, but by the number of coveys consistently found across the landscape.
Record-Setting Results
CRQP partner properties are now documenting covey find rates that far exceed historic regional benchmarks, reflecting the effectiveness of focused habitat management, prescribed fire, and long-term commitment at scale.
Current CRQP properties routinely average 2–4 coveys per hour during the hunting season, with a highest verified covey find rate of just over 8 coveys per hour recorded on a managed property. These results represent a dramatic departure from historic expectations and demonstrate what is possible for wild bobwhite populations when habitat is restored and maintained through focused persistence.
If you are located in the Carolinas or eastern Georgia and are interested in managing your property to maximize success toward your quail objectives, contact Paul Grimes or Trey Johnson for more information.
Use our Program-Specific Giving to donate directly to the Carolina Regional Quail Program.
